Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Industry approach to dealing with Debt Management Firms

22 November 2020

This industry common approach:

  • outlines a clear set of guidelines for when the banks may consider that a DMF, when representing a bank customer, is not acting in the customer’s interests and banks may approach a customer directly;
  • provides clarity and consistency in how member banks may deal with DMFs, recognising the importance of preserving a customer’s right to engage them, while trying to protect customers where firms may not be acting in their interest, and
  • describes an approach that is consistent with competition law obligations, the Code and other regulatory guidance such as the ASIC/ACCC Debt Collection Guideline (DCG)/RG 271 and the banks’ general responsibilities to their customers.

Download PDF

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham interview with ABC Radio National’s Sally Sara on jobs in banking
21 October 2026

E&OERadio InterviewABC Radio National with Sally Sara21 October 2026. Topics: Jobs in banking Sally Sara: First, NAB is the latest major bank to announce a significant restructure of its workforce, with plans to cut up to 2,500 jobs. NAB says most of the jobs will go by the end of the year, citing economic challenging… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Banks welcome calls for regulation that backs growth
21 October 2026

Banks have welcomed Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson’s call today for the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to give more weight to economic growth in their decision making. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said regulation that supports growth is key to lifting productivity across the economy. “Banks want to… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO interview with ABC Afternoon Briefing’s Patricia Karvelas on the Australia-EU free trade deal
20 October 2026

E&OETV InterviewInterview ABC Afternoon Briefing19 October 2026 Topics: Australia-EU free trade deal, investment benefits Patricia Karvelas: Simon Birmingham is the CEO of the Australian Banking Association, but he’s a former finance minister in a previous coalition government. And our guest, welcome to the program. Simon Birmingham: Hi, Patricia. Good to be with you again. Patricia… Read more »

Read more